Cancer victim's benefits fight (From Free Press Series)

Cancer victim's benefits fight

A Torfaen woman who was denied benefits while suffering from breast cancer has joined a charity's push to stop victims having the same problems.

Barbara Jackson, of South Street, Sebastopol, pictured above, has told her story to help Macmillan Cancer Relief's campaign for better benefits' information for cancer sufferers.

Barbara, a member of South Gwent Breast Cancer Support Group, was diagnosed with breast cancer in February 2000 but has now been given the all clear.

She said: "I was self employed at the time, working with my husband at Sebastopol Post Office. I wasn't eligible for statutory sick pay, so I approached the Benefits Agency for Incapacity Benefit.

"Having completed the application forms and obtained the relevant sick notes from my GP, I heard nothing.

"When I contacted them, I was told that I was not entitled to benefit as I had insufficient contributions. I couldn't believe it.

"I was told that for one of the two years they'd looked at to assess my claim, I was £5 short of the qualifying amount and there was no room for negotiation.

"When I involved my MP Paul Murphy the Benefits Agency eventually agreed to pay the Incapacity benefit, but only on receipt of a payment of £15 from me and if I agreed to forfeit six weeks of the benefit.

"Being diagnosed with cancer is devastating. Going from a healthy individual to someone who can't work or even dress themselves, is something I can't describe."

For details about the Macmillan Cancer Relief's Better Deal campaign call the hotline on 0800 500 800.